Lord of Caldera

In truth, Dani had no desire to stand alongside a half-blood bastard. But the aftermath of the recent assassination attempt had caused too much of a stir. If he made a fuss here about being paired with a commoner, it was certain that his father's suppressed rage would finally explode.

Damn it, how did my life end up like this? Dani thought bitterly, but the Count seemed oblivious to his inner turmoil, sighing with some regret.

"Traditionally, both parents should attend a coming-of-age ceremony, but Helena couldn't be here due to her illness. It's a shame."

"It's only natural. Her health is more important. Please don't worry," Sylas reassured him.@@novelbin@@

Helena had recently gone to the family's villa to manage her emotional turmoil. The truth was, just the thought of witnessing Sylas's coming-of-age ceremony made her blood boil. It was a wise decision, at least in terms of preventing her condition from worsening.

"Thank you for saying so," the Count said, relieved. "Since you both have reached adulthood safely, I, as your father, must give you a gift."

Dani's eyes widened in excitement. The tradition for the Corleone family's coming-of-age ceremonies allowed the heirs to choose one item from the family's treasure vault. Even by noble standards, it was an exceptional gift.

"Then, who gets to choose first...?" Dani asked hesitantly.

"Of course, Sylas will choose first. He's your younger brother," the Count answered without hesitation. His face held a smile, but there was a coldness in his eyes, making it clear that any further complaints from Dani would not be tolerated.

"Dani, answer me. It's only right that Sylas chooses first, isn't it?"

"...Yes," Dani eventually muttered, nodding his head. The Count smiled, pleased with his submission, then turned to Sylas.

"So, Sylas. Is there something in particular you would like?" The Count had given Sylas access to the treasure vault for the past few days, allowing him ample time to make his decision. Whether it was a weapon, armor, or a famous piece of artwork, Sylas could choose anything he desired.

"I would like the wrist guards used by the first head of the family," Sylas said calmly.

"What? Those... plain things?" The Count was startled, barely holding back from calling them junk. Dani also looked shocked at Sylas's choice.

"Yes, they are the wrist guards used by the legendary Dragon Slayer, are they not?"

"That's true, but... still…" The Count faltered, unable to continue. Since the item was tied to the family's founder, he couldn't bring himself to criticize it.

It's just an old relic with no real value, the Count thought. The "wrist guards" were actually just old, worn bandages. The only notable thing about them was that they hadn't decayed despite their age. There were also some ancient runes etched into the fabric, though no one knew what they meant.

The former heads of the family had once hoped the item was imbued with magic, but it turned out to have no notable effects beyond not rotting.

"Are you sure that's enough for you?" the Count asked.

"It's more than enough. These were worn by the Dragon Slayer himself, weren't they? I want to feel the spirit of our founder by wearing them and following in his footsteps," Sylas replied earnestly.

"Hah!" The Count exhaled in amazement. Such a sincere and noble mindset! Impressed, he ordered a servant to bring the crimson bandages from the vault. The wrist guards, once useful but now outdated in the era of advanced armor, were handed over to Sylas.

"Here, this is what you requested. Our founder, Leonik, wore these during his final battle."

"May I put them on now?"

"If you wish," the Count granted permission. Sylas lifted his sleeves and wrapped the bandages around his wrists. The runes on the bandages shimmered subtly, making them appear more impressive than they actually were. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire

Satisfied with his choice, Sylas bowed deeply. "Thank you, Father."

"It's nothing. Your desire to feel the spirit of our founder, rather than gain practical benefits, only increases my admiration for you."

That's not it at all. This thing has immense practical value, Sylas thought, keeping his true feelings to himself. In his past life, he had also chosen these bandages during his coming-of-age ceremony, though not by choice. Back then, both Helena and her sons had made it clear that selecting anything valuable would be punished.

As a result, Sylas had chosen what appeared to be the most worthless item available—the symbolic bandages.

But they turned out to be far more valuable than expected, he recalled. In a world where wizards were rare and enchanted items were sold at astronomical prices, these rune-covered bandages were actually imbued with high-level magic. The previous heads of the family hadn't known what kind of magic they contained, so they had dismissed their worth.

"Value is found within one's own heart. To me, these bandages are a treasure through which I can feel the spirit of our founder," Sylas said aloud, playing into the role.

"Well said!" the Count agreed. Of course, Sylas had no intention of revealing the true value of the bandages.

"And you, Dani? What do you desire?" the Count asked, turning to his other son.

"I… would like a renowned sword," Dani quickly replied. Though the Count was slightly disappointed by the ordinary choice, he nonetheless granted his son's wish, presenting him with the sword.

Once the gifts were exchanged, Ulrich, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up.

"Father, I also have a gift prepared for my brothers," he announced.

"Oh, how thoughtful!" The Count's face lit up with joy. He hadn't expected this, and it delighted him to see his eldest son thinking of his younger siblings.

Ulrich smiled slightly and clapped his hands twice. Oscar, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward.

"Greetings, Count Corleone. I am Oscar Daildron," he said respectfully.

"Ah, I've heard of you. You're known as the young sage, aren't you? Quite impressive at your age," the Count said warmly. Oscar was a genius who had entered the imperial capital's university at the age of seventeen, skipping grades. By the time he graduated, he had achieved the highest honors in every subject.

His fame had even reached the Count's ears, and the fact that this brilliant young man now stood by Ulrich's side brought a smile to the Count's face. The future of the family seemed even more secure.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency," Oscar replied humbly.

"Modesty aside, I notice you're not having a servant carry the gift. Why is that?"

"That is because the gift I bring is of great importance," Oscar explained, as he opened the box with a click. As the lid lifted, a sword glowing with a brilliant blue light was revealed. The room collectively gasped in awe.

"What… what is this sword?" the Count asked, astonished.

"This is an ancient sword, recovered from a dungeon," Oscar explained.

"A dungeon?!"